The Spirit Takes the Fifth ...

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Apparently, yes. I have a list of criticisms of Michael Eisner during his tenure at Disney, but he apparently took himself less seriously than Bob Iger does, or his predecessors at Disney.

COME ON BOB. SHOW US YOUR #DISNEYSIDE.

After reading your last post, my mind wandered while I tried to picture Card Walker talking to Jenny McCarthy in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

 

[TinkerBelle8878]

Just a quick recommendation on great reading. Check out Robert Niles (Theme Park Insider) interview with Tony Baxter. Great and fascinating insight and close to what Tony gives you one on one.

It's three parts and part three went up yesterday. Tony is quite blunt and honest about things calling Harry Potter a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity (blown for Disney) as well as saying franchise based IP isn't the problem that fanbois think it is. He also gave Efteling Park in the Netherlands some big props.

As someone who has been lucky enough to talk with Tony in private numerous times, this interview gives a truer glimpse into the mind of the man than any of the PR fluff Disney put out while he was in its employment.

EDIT: Apologies to @Virtual Insanity who posted about this before me. Just saw your post. I'm leaving this here, though, as it is worth repeating and some folks don't get to keep up (like say ... ME!!!)

Spirit,

I thought one of the reasons that WDW lost Potter was because JK Rowling wanted complete and total control over everything and Disney refused that. At the time I remember thinking, well its her world, its her character...isn't this though what's going on now with Avatarworld and Cameron? But they agreed?

Just something that I remembered when reading your post. Maybe I'm remembering wrong.

 

[Mr Bill]

The control angle is a good story, but a story is about all it is.

 

[PhotoDave219]

You're being sarcastic right? $14.95 for a photo taken by a minimum wage worker in a non-studio environment is ABSURD.

Youre right, I charge $250.

 

[raymusiccity]

Spirit,

I thought one of the reasons that WDW lost Potter was because JK Rowling wanted complete and total control over everything and Disney refused that. At the time I remember thinking, well its her world, its her character...isn't this though what's going on now with Avatarworld and Cameron? But they agreed?

Just something that I remembered when reading your post. Maybe I'm remembering wrong.

I remember a demand for a % of increased ticket sales as well. She's only the richest woman in the UK.

 

[flynnibus]

Spirit,

I thought one of the reasons that WDW lost Potter was because JK Rowling wanted complete and total control over everything and Disney refused that

Not that she wanted control - but rather the level of what she wanted to do and would ultimately approve. 'Control' as in.. controlling over her IP and how it was used.

 

[ford91exploder]

Spirited Wednesday Musings:

Anyone out there still watching S.H.I.E.L.D.? ... Other than @Lee? Yeah, didn't think so.

How come it's Christmas everything at DLP, but Holiday everything at WDW and DLR? Are they really so effing politically correct that they are trying to pretend Christmas isn't also a religious holiday in addition to being a consumer orgy in the USA?

So sad to hear of Diane Disney Miller's passing. I had always hoped to get to meet her and have been near her on a few ocassions, including DL's 50th. She was always Walt's biggest defender and wasn't afraid to speak up to big time execs -- or family members -- when things needed saying. The world is a lesser place without her presence and the company her Dad founded is lesser without her looking over things from her beloved vineyard.

Don't confuse the MK's ridiculous 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. schedule (starting this Sunday) and one 7 a.m. EMH and one 3 a.m. night EMH with huge crowds or the growing trend in the USA to take the entire Thanksgiving Week off and vacation. It all comes down to capacity, something the park severely lacks even with Fantayland's 'expansion' ... there simply isn't enough to do when it gets crowded and guests aren't hitting the MAGICal nine attractions in a day.

Want some good news about WDW? You'll have to make it up because I don't have it.

At the risk of burying news, there have been delays in the Studios Star Wars project for multiple reasons, but understand the biggest one is the same thing that has kept Pandora in BLUEprints only: cost overruns on MM+. The BoD will not OK any new project for WDW (see Imagination) until NGE starts to earn back its billion dollar spend. Absolutely nothing has been OK'd beyond Pandora and that was greatly delayed -- and may well be further pushed back -- because of this boondoggle. So, those of you who love your MAGIC Bands? You can ride them instead!

Let me repeat there are two kinds of WDW fans: Those who experienced EPCOT Center and the rest.

So, is it just me or is no lifestyler going to print my Shanghai news because their hate for me is greater than their cconcern for their flocks and doing a good 'job'?

No - but that's only because the lifestylers cannot find it on a map...

 

[ford91exploder]

.

Hmm, just how well can TDO 'cook' the books to make this little boondoggle look profitable?

Otherwise, the cynic in me could interpret that as nothing new for a long, long time...

The realist in me agrees with your inner cynic.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Planes has got to be one of the most underwhelming films I've seen in a long time. To call it a Cars ripoff would be a compliment. I'm struggling through it as I type this....it's not easy.

I'm watching it right now. It's one thing if Pixar wants to rip off its own movie when they do a sequel, but it makes me uncomfortable seeing how much Disney borrowed from Cars.

Also, that American Airlines product placement was very... um... interesting. I bet that check fueled up the ol' private executive jet a few times!

 

[71jason]

Sorry, $14.95 for a digital copy of one PhotoPass photo is beyond ridiculous.

Just because we can't go five posts without a Uni reference--but also because it happens to be highly relevant--I get unlimited digital photos from Universal for a year for $40. Including the shots at the Simpsons couch with effects added, etc. Still shot by minimum wage MouseSerfs who were probably slinging fries last week, but at WDW prices I made that $40 back in the first half-hour I had the card.

 

[71jason]

Not at all, we can argue the definition of professional till the cows come home

Uh, no. @PhotoDave219 is a professional. He has training, experience and high-end equipment*. PhotoPass photographers are entry-level workers given a couple hours of training and equipment designed to be used 12 - 16 hours a day. You wouldn't call the guy flipping burgers at your Mickey D's a "chef" would you? And I hope you'd laugh if Mickey D's tried to charge you for a burger what, say, California Grill charges for a steak.

* ETA--a lot of in-born talent as well, didn't mean to sell that short

 

[Radok Block]

Not that she wanted control - but rather the level of what she wanted to do and would ultimately approve. 'Control' as in.. controlling over her IP and how it was used.

She's been very smart in the management of her IP. Others would do well to follow her lead.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

I'm watching it right now. It's one thing if Pixar wants to rip off its own movie when they do a sequel, but it makes me uncomfortable seeing how much Disney borrowed from Cars.

Also, that American Airlines product placement was very... um... interesting. I bet that check fueled up the ol' private executive jet a few times!

Yes, exactly. It's a rip off of their own movie- and a cheap ripoff at that. Sure, pretty scenery... but that only goes so far.

I noticed the AA product placement and thought "uhhh... ok.." and had to re-check to make sure I was watching a Disney movie. Also, I could do without the off-the-shelf, top 40s music. No thank you.



I read the Tony Baxter interview over again yesterday (instead of week by week, I re-read it all at once) and yeah, I'd just about die to see the plans that WDI had for Potter. Even though I'm not a fan of HP, Disney lost a great deal by letting that one slip. Billions of dollars lost, between attendance, hotel occupancy, HP conventions on site, and of course, more merchandise than you can shake your fist at. I wonder what they did have planned out, though. @Lee @WDW1974 has anyone ever actually seen the plans? Any details you can share ?

 

[Figments Friend]

Oh, lazyboy, you know I am an old fart/Spirit. I hate listening to podcasts. I don't even think I knew what one was until 3-4 years ago!

I don't think Tony was downplaying anything. I think he was just pointing out that original IP in the way many fans think simply never truly existed.

No, he didn't bash the rampant synergy when everything is suddenly Stitch or Princesses or Pirates or Marvel, but his concern has always been about story. When he talks about building attractions that can be enjoyed on a 20th ride or a 58th ride, he's quite implicitly talking about how much of what Disney is now doing today isn't about that. Much like some Spirited posts, Tony often speaks to multiple audiences with the same words, knowing that different folks will take things differently.

I so want to pick his brain about SDL, knowing that Bruce and Craig have likely kept him as far away from that project as they could.

Same here...never knew what the heck a 'podcast' was until about that same time frame.
Kept thinking it was something related to Star Wars...ha ha..(pod racing broadcasting LIVE..!)

Regarding Tony's comments, it is always great to hear him speak his mind unbridled.
Now that he is somewhat on his own , i look forward to more of this.
Never get tired of hearing what he has to say about any given topic as he has some unique insights.

I think some fans may have misinterpreted his comments regarding IPs.
Some folks are taking it to mean he is all pro-IP layover attractions now..which is not necessarily the case.
His explanation of using familiar characters to help drive a story is a valid one, but there is a difference between doing a quality experience with such IPs and also just doing a cheap layover with no coherency.
It was interesting to hear his view on the topic.

The insights into his involvement in trying to bring Poseiden and a cheery 'grandpa farmer' character to EPCOT's original Living Seas and The Land pavilions i found quite interesting.
Using characters to help get the Guests' involved in a attraction experience on a more emotional level is a valid view.

I think the problem some have is that lately this direction has been lacking in some regards, thus why some are not overly thrilled with the IP overload taking place in some cases. The 'IP infused' attraction of late has a bad rep lately mainly because the execution or concept is weak and fails to engage the Guest.
As noted, there is a difference between a decent, quality driven attraction and one that is just a bare bones overly on top of a previous concept/attraction.


Now regarding the SDL project and Tony -
Well, if the DCA meetings story is true
( about him being purposely shut out of the big meet to pitch/propose ideas for the re-Imagining of the Park by certain parties with agendas...)
then yeah, likely so.
As we both know he was pretty much put on the shelf and forgotten about as far as being the 'go-to' man for major projects which still burns me.
Some say he brought it upon himself....but there is always two sides to every story.
It is worth seeking out the 'other story' sometimes...

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Same here...never knew what the heck a 'podcast' was until about that same time frame. Kept thinking it was something related to Star Wars...ha ha..(pod racing broadcasting LIVE..!)

Regarding Tony's comments, it is always great to hear him speak his mind unbridled.
Now that he is somewhat on his own now, i look forward to more of this.
Never get tired of hearing what he has to say about any given topic as he has some unique insights.

.

Yep, this. I'm hoping he pens a book, I'd love to read it. He's got to be one of the most interesting characters who ever worked for WDI. I never bore of what he has to say.

I wish he'd say more!

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

Anyone care to weigh in with SDL attractions? Here is what I pulled out as C, D, E attractions (minus shows)

Roaring Rapid, Soaring Over the Horizon, “Once Upon a Time” Adventure, Hunny Pot Spin (Teacups), The many adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan’s Flight, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Dumbo, Carousel, Tron Lightcycles Power Run, Buzz Lightyear planet rescue, Rex’s Racers, Slinky Dog Spin, Pirates of the Caribbean


Not quite sure about Voyage to the Crystal Grotto (walkthrough or ride?), Siren’s Revenge, Jolly Gypsy...

Seems to really match the plans leaked oh so long ago.

I'm not sure its any better or any worse than what premiered at Hong Kong Disneyland on opening day, but it is a lot better than the mess found at California Adventure or Disney Studios Paris at opening! Further, I think it is a very smart business move to base the attractions on Disney's intellectual properties. It could also yield great results for park fans stateside. If Shanghai brings in the big bucks, the company should be able to cover losses on My Magic+ and start building some terrific attractions once again!

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

If Shanghai brings in the big bucks, the company should be able to cover losses on My Magic+ and start building some terrific attractions once again!

I love your optimism.

 

[Figments Friend]

I read the Tony Baxter interview over again yesterday (instead of week by week, I re-read it all at once) and yeah, I'd just about die to see the plans that WDI had for Potter. Even though I'm not a fan of HP, Disney lost a great deal by letting that one slip. Billions of dollars lost, between attendance, hotel occupancy, HP conventions on site, and of course, more merchandise than you can shake your fist at. I wonder what they did have planned out, though. @Lee @WDW1974 has anyone ever actually seen the plans? Any details you can share ?

When the deal fell through, there were actually some Imagineers around at that time that were actually VERY happy about that.
The reason?

They felt it would mean Disney would be forced to ramp up their creative juices again and go back to creating mind blowing experiences/attractions again due to the now obvious 'competition'.
They were excited about a possible Imagineering Renaissance about to happen.

That was a few years year back.
And here we are today..in 2013.

Tony by the way is a HUGE 'Forbidden Journey' fan. He loves riding that thing.
Sometimes i get the impression he enjoys it so much because it reminds him of 'what could have been'...but that is just my personal opinion.

 

[ford91exploder]

I love your optimism.

Correct me if I'm wrong but SDL is a licensed park, TWDC/WDI is building it being bludgeoned by the PRC every time they try to cheap out (They DESERVE their beatings) So Disney will only be collecting licensing fees from the park.

So I don't think large profits are on the horizon for this project.

 

[dreamfinder]

Thats the one. Splash as well?

Actually saw a post in the last week or so on some board (don't think it was this one) from a guest who claimed that when they checked their Photopass online, they magically had a Splash Mountain photo showing up in their stream, despite not having claimed the photo. Perhaps someone forgot to turn something off during operating hours after some testing?